Barbara (Alexis) Jeanne Melancon
November 19, 1927 - April 25, 2019
Obituary
Sister Alexis Melancon, age 91, a Sister of Providence for 68 years, died April 25, 2019, at St. Joseph Residence, Seattle, WA. Vigil Service: Thursday, May 9, 2019, at 6:30 PM, and Funeral Mass: Friday, May 10, 2019, at 11:00 AM, both at St. Joseph Residence, 4800 37th Avenue SW, Seattle, WA. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Seattle, WA, after Mass and reception. Bonney Watson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Barbara Jeanne Melancon was born November 19, 1927 to Henry Joseph Melancon and Mary Helen Melancon (Flaherty), Portland, Oregon. She was the youngest of two daughters. Barbara entered the Sisters of Providence in November 17, 1949 at Mount St. Vincent, Seattle, Washington, and in May 1950, she became a novice. In November 1951 she professed first vows and received the name Sister Alexis. In November 1955 she professed final vows.
In 1936 the family moved to Walla Walla, WA. Barbara graduated in 1945 from St. Vincent Academy in Walla Walla. In 1949, Barbara earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology/Sociology from the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, Minnesota. She attended the College of Great Falls in the summer of 1952, various colleges in Southern California, and in 1969 Sister Alexis received her Master of Education (MEd) with a major in Education Administration from the University of Washington, Seattle. Also, in 1988 she became a licensed housing manager certified by the National Leased Housing Association, Portland.
Sister Alexis’ ministry of 34 years was in education as an elementary/secondary teacher, counselor and principal, from 1951-85. In Washington: Sacred Heart School, Tacoma; Holy Family School, Seattle, St. Joseph School, Yakima, and Providence Academy, Vancouver. In Alaska: Catholic Junior High School, Anchorage; and in California: Providence High School and St. Finbar School, in Burbank. From 1986-2000 she became the director of Emilie House, a Northeast Portland Housing of Urban Development (HUD-assisted) housing project founded by the Sisters of Providence for low-income elderly and disabled residents.
In late 1985, Sister Alexis travelled to Jerusalem, Israel, to begin a nine-month biblical study program in the Holy Land. In 1986 she travelled to England and Ireland, and in 1991 toured Russia and Hungary. Also, in 1998 Sister Alexis went to El Salvador for a cultural experience to be with her sisters and minister to the poor.
In 2001 Sister Alexis retired and moved to St. Joseph Residence, Seattle, where she volunteered and became the treasurer of St. Joseph Residence, in addition to being a Retirement Trust Committee trustee from 2003-12. Her favorite pastime was reading mysteries, in addition to travelling and spending cherished time with family, friends and her sisters in community.
Sr. Alexis is preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her sister, Rosemary Theresa Melancon Peacock, Walla Walla, WA, nephews and nieces.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of Providence Retirement Fund, 1801 Lind Avenue SW, #9016, Renton, WA 98057-9016. To view Sister Alexis’ obituary with her picture and to sign her memory book, please visit the website for Bonney-Watson Funeral Home at www.bonneywatson.com
Sr. Alexis was an amazing principal and teacher. In my entire education experience, she was one of the best teachers I had. She explained Algebra so clearly and patiently to us freshmen at Providence Academy. What a dynamic woman!!
When Sister Alexis came to be our principal at PAV, she renewed the spirit of fun in our school days. She was a patient teacher, a wonderful model of respect and presence, but most of all, she was fun! Many of us were privileged to honor her on her 90th birthday. Her spirit is still very present with us.
Sister Alexis was a huge influence in the lives of so many of us. We were lucky to have her as our principal at Providence Academy in Vancouver. She was an inspiring influence and most often brought a sense of fun to each and every day.
Sr. Alexis was my role model. She was a great leader in a kind, considerate way, full of poise. What a blessing to have had her in our lives! She has left an indelible mark of christian behavior of the highest standard. May our Lord carry her swiftly to heaven.
Sister Alexis and my mom were friends before she went into the convent and they remained friends until my mom’s death in 2014. I was blessed to visit Sister in 2015. When she hugged me it felt like my mom was hugging me with her. I still have pictures of both of them as young girls which I cherish. (My mom’s name was Helen Davis Swear).
Sr. Alexis was my Aunt and name sake; and she was a wonderful woman whom I loved very much. I miss her every day. She was so wise, and funny, and full of such wonderful stories. I could sit and listen to her for days! She was great!